Surf A Longboard - How To Do Turtle Rolls

Question. I've been surfing everyday (depending on waves) for the past 3 months. I am riding waves and its great! Today, we actually got bigger waves, and I don't know how to power through them if I get caught right in front. I see short-boarders duck diving through it all but how do I get through the big ones on a longboard, Help!

Answer. I have a few tips for you on getting through big waves on a longboard. First, there are a few ways to get through the wave. The one that works best for me is a turtle roll (check out this video).

If you are surfing on a hard board (not foam), it is essential to gain ramming speed and not turn over until the last second before impact.

If you turn over to early without enough speed you will subject yourself to the full force of the wave. It is also very important to stay close to your board, otherwise there is a good chance the water will over power the gap between you and your board and rip it out of your hands.

I have experienced this personally in big waves, and it is not fun!

Of course, practice in small waves first, so you and your body get the muscle memory down.

Then there is duck diving, it is the same as doing it on a shortboard, you just have to account for weight and and length of your board. The more surface area of your board, the harder you have to push—and the more control required to bring your board through the back of the wave.

The method of "pushing up" and letting the wave pass through you and the board, is what I use in small to medium surf, or on unbroken waves.

I tend to gravitate to using the turtle roll method when I am in the "impact zone" on big days, and when the whitewater coming at me is really strong.

Using this method will deflect the power blast of the curl or white water past your board, while you are able to guide through the back underneath.

It also helps sometimes to do a big scissor kick with your legs once you feel the wave to help with an extra push on those extra big days.

I hope this info was helpful to you, and if I can help you with any more questions or clarifications on any of the methods.

Size Chart

Surfboard Leashes

Buy a leash closest to your board size—i.e. for 6'4 surfboard you need a 6' leash.

All leashes are 7mm thick, competition leashes which are lighter/thinner 5.5 mm.

5'6 - 6 - 6 comp - 7 - 8 - 9 - 9 Calf - 10 - 10 Coil

calf (leash strap attaches to calf for larger boards)

coil (mostly for lake and open water boards)

Pioneer Day Boardbags - Fits One Surfboard

All boardbags have +2 inches. Thus a 6'6 board fit's perfectly in a 6'6 boardbag. All Pioneer bags have expandable fin gussets, so you can keep your fins on your board in the bag—or you can roll with glass-on fins.

Pioneer bags also have an exterior pocket and zip all the way to the nose.

Travel Bags - Fits Two Surfboards

All Global boardbags have +2 inches, so if you buy a 6'2 boardbag, the real length is 6'4—thus you have a bit of room to play.

Global Travel Bag Sizes:

Mini Simmons 6'2 - 6'7 - 7'6 | width 26"

Shortboard 6' - 6'7 - -7'0 - 7'6 | width 22"x

Longboard/Mal 8'6 - 9'6 | width 25"

Travel boardbags are 6'-8' inches deep to accommodate two boards—though you can travel with one in these bags without a problem—there are two interior pockets for leash, wax, and fins.

Travel boardbags have two padded boards separators and two pockets for your gear.

* Travel boardbags also have 13mm + 13mm of extra padding in the nose and tail.

Travel Bags with Wheels - Fits Two Surfboards

New in 2016 is the double travel bag with wheels. Sometimes you want a smaller bag with wheels, now you can have it. All Global boardbags have +2 inches, so if you buy a 6'2 boardbag, the real length is 6'4—thus you have a bit of room to play.

Global Travel Bag Sizes:

Mini Simmons 6'2 - 6'7 - 7'6 | width 26"

Shortboard 6' - 6'7 - -7'0 - 7'6 | width 22"x

Longboard/Mal 8'6 - 9'6 | width 25"

Travel boardbags are 6'-8' inches deep to accommodate two boards—though you can travel with one in these bags without a problem—there are two interior pockets for leash, wax, and fins.

Travel boardbags have two padded boards separators and two pockets for your gear.

* Travel boardbags also have 13mm + 13mm of extra padding in the nose and tail.

Boardbag Material & Hardware - All Bags

Side A of the bag is made from a strong density Rugged Eco Hemp exterior which is one tough fiber and naturally built to last with high impact padding protection with Rebound Foam Dynamics including open-to-nose technology.

Side B is the reflective (rental-car-roof-side) made from Reflective Energy Shield for "Cooler Surfboard Safeguard" protecting your surfboard from the sun's harmful rays made from an alloy-steel mesh weave.